Brutal attack on Barrowford man, 74 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Brutal attack on Barrowford man, 74

5:37pm Wednesday 28th October 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

A 21 year old man left a pensioner seriously injured after punching him in a street row, a court heard.

Apprentice Craig Yunis hit Brian Singleton, 74, who was on his way home from his Barrowford allotment, in the face, after smashing his car windscreen. Mr Singleton lay bleeding whilst Yunis made off.

The victim suffered a broken nose which caused difficulty breathing and needed surgery. He lost his sense of smell and also needed a new dental plate.

Yunis, who had never been in trouble before, kept his freedom after a judge said he came from a decent family background, was working, had no record and it was surprising to see him in court.

Judge Simon Newell slammed the attack on the "vulnerable" victim as "unpleasant and nasty".

He told the defendant: “It seems to me you can make reparation to society rather than wallowing in prison, by doing some unpaid work in the community.”

Yunis, of Percy Street, Nelson, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, on May 31. He was given a nine month jail term, suspended for two years, with a three month 9pm to 6am curfew and 180 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £350 compensation, which the judge stressed was a token gesture and was not meant to reflect the degree of harm or distress caused to the victim.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Mr Singleton was driving home from his allotment in and was on a narrow road around a park.

Yunis and his girlfriend were standing in the middle of the road kissing and Mr Singleton asked them to move. The defendant asked if Mr Singleton was going to run them over, the victim replied somebody would and Yunis then smashed his windscreen. Mr Singleton, who had a digital camera in his vehicle, snapped the defendant with his hands raised in a punching gesture.

Miss Statham said a female witness then saw Yunis strike Mr Singleton in the face, knocking him to the ground. The victim was bleeding from a cut nose and nearby residents, who knew him, chased the defendant. Police arrived and arrested him and Yunis denied he had hit the pensioner.

Mr Singleton was taken to hospital with his face badly swollen, particularly the bridge of his nose and eyes. He told police the assault had left him feeling vulnerable going out but he had still managed to go to his allotment. Yunis had no previous convictions.